Jack M. Martins

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Senator Jack M. Martins recently wished Elizabeth Buchta a happy 93rd birthday. Elizabeth was born on December 14, 1919. A week before her birthday, she attended the Mineola Golden Age Holiday Party where she celebrated the holiday season with her many friends. Happy Birthday, Elizabeth!

Senator Jack M. Martins attended the Mineola Golden Age Holiday Party at the Chateau Briand in Carle Place, where he met with many friends. Senator Martins was honored to have been invited to the party, where he wished all the members a happy holiday. The Mineola Golden Age Club members danced, sang and had a delicious lunch as they reveled in the holiday spirit. Senator Martins was honored to be a part of the day. Also attending was Mineola's oustanding Mayor, Scott Strauss, who sat and spoke with the members to wish them all the best this holiday season.

State Senator Jack Martins was back in the Village of South Floral Park where he met with civic leaders and members of the South Floral Park Fire Department recently. Mayor Geoffrey Prime attended both sessions with Senator Martins where both answered questions and offered insights on issues impacting the Village. Questions ranging from police protection, job creation and economic development plans on Hempstead Turnpike were discussed. “I want to thank Tony Barbieri, Mayor Prime and the South Floral Park Fire Department for their advice on and insight on issues impacting the Village of South Floral Park," said Senator Martins adding, “I look forward to continuing to work with them going forward in improving our neighborhoods.”

State Senator Jack Martins held another community 'listen session' at the Magnet Sports Lounge that was attended by over 300 Elmont and South Floral Park residents. The networking listen session gave residents the opportunity to speak one on one with Senator Martins and express their concerns and hopes for future economic development opportunities in the greater community. Joining Senator Martins in the session were Elmont School Trustees, Mayor Geoffrey Prime of South Floral Park and Trustee George Ingram. In addition to economic development initiatives, Education, Hempstead Turnpike Safety, Revitalization programs and more were actively discussed and explored in small groups and one-on-one with Senator Martins. “This listen session was a great success.

State Senator Jack Martins announced a $100,000 economic development revitalization grant for the Elmont community today which is yet another significant investment in Hempstead Turnpike. The grant comes on the heels of a multi-million dollar safety improvement project Governor Cuomo, Senator Martins, Senator Dean Skelos and Senator Kemp Hannon delivered to the Elmont and Franklin Square communities a few months ago. The Martins grant funding will be used towards a streetscaping revitalization project on the Turnpike next to the new Elmont Public Library. The funding is a team effort with the Town of Hempstead, Councilman Edward Ambrosino and Supervisor Kate Murray.

State Senator Jack Martins met with first reponders and volunteer firefighters of the Elmont Fire Department to thank them for their hard work in the ongoing relief efforts of Hurricane Sandy. The Elmont volunteers have given tactical assistance and support to Long Beach and surrounding communities in the weeks since the storm. This effort is in addition to the hundreds of calls the department responded to during the Hurricane in the Elmont community. Senator Martins also thanked the Engine Company for the incredible job they performed in Elmont neighborhoods assisting families reeling from the destructive force of the hurricane. “The Elmont Fire Department is always there when we need them.

Writing this weekly column is one of my favorite things to do as your state senator. While it allows me to reflect on issues directly with you, it’s also been great for encouraging feedback that has been incredibly helpful to me as a freshman senator. From its inception, I wanted to avoid the typical government laundry list of events and notices that you might expect from legislators. Instead, I wanted this column to be something readers look for, a more honest and readable “inside” look at the workings of state government, warts and all.

With that in mind, I’d like to share with you what I perceive as one of the more pressing issues facing our state and particularly Long Island.

Senator Jack Martins recently attended Sunday services at the First Church of God in Elmont. Senator Martins attended the service at the invitation of Pastor Cecil Mathew and members of the congregation. The service centered on community, faith and helping one another in times of trouble and challenge. At the end of the service, children received special blessings from Church leaders. Pastor Mathew invited Senator Martins to address the congregation and listen to members as their special guest. Members talked about education, local schools and opportunities for young people.

Senator Jack Martins recently dropped by the Clara H. Carlson School in Elmont to visit the Autism Academy and see how his “friends” in the program were progressing. Senator Martins visited the program earlier in the year where he met with students and listened to several classroom instruction periods as part of his listening tour of the district. The Autism program in Elmont is a cutting edge initiative that has received wide acclaim and support in the community. "This program really makes a difference in the lives of the children it serves," said Senator Martins noting, "the work the staff and teachers perform with our young people is not only respected throughout the State, but is a model that many districts look to emulate," said Senator Martins.

Senator Jack Martins attended a recent special fundraising effort in Elmont to build bathrooms and additional classroom space for children in countryside hilltowns in Haiti. The fundraising initiative is chaired by Elmont resident David Duchatelier who has been instrumental in raising tens of thousands of dollars to build schools for children who do not have access to any educational institutions. The fundraiser was held at St. Boniface church where hundreds of Elmont residents attended the evening reception of food, fun and terrific Haitian music performed by local residents. Senator Martins was welcomed to the fundraiser by Father Eddy Julien of St. Boniface Church.

Senator Jack Martins saluted Elmont School District Community Affairs Coordinator Norma DeBartolo for her work and dedication at her retirement dinner at the Sandcastle in Franklin Square. Mrs. Debartolo, who is affectionately referred to as the “Mayor of Elmont,” is retiring at the end of this year after decades of service to the children in the Elmont Union Free School District. “Norma is a treasure and friend who gives of herself each and every day. From her days in the Pre-K program to working at every community event possible, Norma is an inspiration to everyone. I wish her all the best as she retires and spends time with her grandchildren and family. Elmont's Mayor is going to be sorely missed,” said Senator Martins.

State Senator Jack Martins was back in Elmont to swear-in the new student government at Dutch Broadway School. Senator Martins spoke to the council and listened to their ideas on how to improve Dutch Broadway School in a town-hall style format. At the end of the discussion, new student President Lea Stewart, Vice President Marvia Pressoir and Secretary-Treasurer Hannah Meikle took the oath of office from Senator Martins as council members looked on.

Work has begun to renovate the New Hyde Park PAL gym, including the much needed replacement of the gym floor, which was ravaged by flooding. "I am glad to see that work has begun on the new gym floor for the New Hyde Park PAL. Great job by the PAL is bringing the project to fruition," said Senator Martins.

Jamaica Bearings is a family-owned business that was started 78 years ago by Frank Negri. Now, Jamaica Bearings stands as the preeminent supplier of bearings and related products to the aerospace, military and a host of major industries around the world.

Under the leadership Peter Negri, the company continues to pride itself on being a family-owned business that provides quality and reliability.

I was advised not to write this column. I was told it wasn’t politically expedient, that it would most certainly ruffle some feathers. But I’ve always maintained that I would shoot straight with my constituents, and I think I my recent re-election means that most of you appreciate that effort.

LIPA failed us miserably – from pre-storm preparations right through communicating when power would be restored after the storm. No arguments.

Naturally, as public servants, our job is to take public authorities like LIPA to task and take a good, hard look at why it failed us after Superstorm Sandy. But I participated in this dog and pony show last year after Hurricane Irene and frankly, it accomplished very little except some convenient transfer of blame and lots of finger pointing. One positive: it’s given me a few months to better see the bigger picture and zero in on where the real problems lie.

Members of the New Hyde Park PAL, led by Officer Kevin Worth, the director of the program, met on Monday morning, November 19, to discuss plans for the renovation of the gymnasium at the PAL's headquarters on Denton Avenue in New Hyde Park. Funding is now in place for work to be done renovating the gym, which will include a new gym floor. Work will also be done to alleviate any future flooding programs. Senator Jack M. Martins is assisting the PAL in looking for other revenue sources for the project.

It’s been over two weeks since Superstorm Sandy hit our region, causing heavy damage to many of our communities. While this storm came and went during the course of a day, it’s ramifications still continue to this day. Whether you sustained damage to your property or damage to your livelihood, just about everyone has been affected by this storm.

Each day, we move closer to recovery. In order to progress, there are governmental and volunteer organizations that are providing assistance. I put together this update that I hope will be helpful.

Once again this year, Senator Jack M. Martins will be holding a holiday toy and book drive as donations are now being accepted at his district office, located at 151 Herricks Road, Suite 202 (on the second floor) in Garden City Park (north of Old Country Road and south of Jericho Turnpike, around the block from Mineola High School).

Senator Martins’ District Office is open business hours to receive toy and book donations. Toys collected will be given to The Ronald McDonald House of Long Island. Books donated will go to the Reach Out and Read Program, which will distribute the books to Winthrop Pediatric Associates in Mineola and The Steven and Alexandra Cohen Children’s Medical Center of NY in New Hyde Park.

Senate Majority Leader Dean G. Skelos and the members of the Long Island State Senate delegation today called on President Obama to initiate a swift and aggressive federal disaster response to assist those who have been severely impacted by Hurricane Sandy, saying Long Island residents are facing a “Katrina-style” disaster, a potential outbreak of crime and additional deaths.

Nearly two weeks after the storm brought destruction to New York, and particularly Long Island, hundreds of thousands of people still remain without power, and countless others will need to be housed and fed before they freeze to death in their own homes. The situation was made worse by a recent Nor’easter and local residents need immediate help in meeting their basic, everyday needs.